iMessage will send but not receive messages

Question

Level 1

6 points

iMessage will send but not receive messages

IPhone SE iOS18.5

I can send messages but not receive messages. The messages list only shows messages from businesses from January 2025 up to mid July 2025. I cannot see older messages or any from friends. I have tried sending a message from my wife’s iPhone to my phone without success but can send a message to her phone. I hadn’t noticed the problem till my neighbour asked whether I had received her message so don’t know when it started. She also sent a screenshot of messages from earlier this year which have disappeared from my message list.

I have turned iMessage on on my iPad and only see an even older set of messages.

Has anyone any suggestions as to what the problem is and solutions

iPhone SE, iOS 18

Posted on Jul 24, 2025 03:46 AM

Reply

Answer 1

LuxStar

Level 2

312 points

Jul 24, 2025 04:02 AM in response to Heathwaite

Hi.

Sounds like iMessage or iCloud’s just desynced. Try this:

• Go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive — make sure your number and Apple ID are both checked.

• Turn iMessage off, restart your phone, then turn it back on.

• If you use Messages in iCloud, toggle it off and on under iCloud > Show All > Messages.

• Make sure Date & Time is set to auto.

Hope that helps.

Reply